Merchandise package



May 26, 1942.

w. A. RINGLER MERCHANDISE PACKAGE Filed Aug. 7 25, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet lg I INVENTOR wa /m1 flfigg''r ,4; ATTORNEY y 26,1942; w. A. RINGLER2,283,950

MERCHANDISE PACKAGE Filed Aug. 25, 1939 GSheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR ,4Fag/er flan/r 44 M ,4 ATTORNEY May 26,1942 w. A. RXNGLER 2,233,950

v nnncnaunlsn PACKAGE Filed Aug. 25, 1939 6'Shee ts-S heet 3 INVENTOR 4ATTORNEY y 2 1.942- W. A. RINGLER 2,283,950

MERCHANDISE PACKAGE Filed Aug. 25, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 ,QATTORNEY y26,1942; I w. A. RINGLER I 2,283,950

MERCHANDISE PACKAGE Filed Aug. 25; 1959 e Sheets-Sheet 5 a ATTORNEY May26, 1942.

w. A. RINGLER MERCHANDISE PACKAGE s Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 25, 1939INVENTOR Mm A W Patented May 26, 1942 Msacnmnrsa racxaca William A.Ringler, Wayne, Pa., asdgnor to National Folding Box Company, New Haven,Com, a corporation of New Jersey Application August 25, 1939, Serial No.291,801

15 Claims. (Cl. 229-44) This invention relatesto improved merchandisepackages, and more particularly to paperboard boxes which may be shippedto the user.

as list blanksand thereafter erected as needed to enclose and retain themerchandise, assembly being affected by a simple manipulation ofinterlocking parts.

In' the packa of numerous articles 01' merchandiseof somewhat bulkynature, substantial savings'in shipping and storage costs can beattained the container which is to enclose the merchandise may be formedfrom a single flat blank or paperboard material which maybe shipped tothe user or merchandise manufacturer in flat condition. Furthereconomies in packagstructed that the merchandise can be placed thereinand'the blank assembled by a simple manipulation of interlocking parts,to provide a strong. rigid and serviceable merchandise con- 15 in: costsmay be realized it the blank is so container held together by suchinterlocking parts without the application of glue, stitches, staples orother applied securing means.

In accordance with this invention, a flat blank is provided comprising abottom panel, side and end wall panels hinged thereto and side and endflap sections which may be folded inwardly and interlocked together toprovide a rigid inwardly extending merchandise-retaining rim or flange.

The container-forming blanks may be,

inexpensively formed by cutting and scoring the same on an automaticcuttingand scoring machine from large sheets or rolls of suitablepaperboard inaterial fed into the machine... The flat blanks, as electedfrom the machine may be stacked, packed and shipped to the user ormerchandise manufacturer within a limited cubical space.

In one form of the invention the merchandise manufacturer places themerchandise on the bottom panel of the expanded blank, the merchandisebeing suitably stacked or folded so as to be retained within thecontours of the bottom panel. To give additional strength to thecontainer when assembled, the user may place a. reinforcing frame uponthe bottom panel oi the blank and place the merchandise within thereeniorcing frame. formed of suitable corrugated board comprising sideand end wall sections suitably hinged together, which sectionscorrespond in size to the side and end wall panels of the blank.

In either form of the invention the side wall panels of the blank areraised to vertical position and the rim-forming sections hinged theretoor other applied securing means.

are turned inwardly, each side rim section comprising an overlying rimportion and an underlying rim portion which are hingedly. connectedtogether. An end tab is hinged to each end or each side wall panel,which tabs-are adapted to swing inwardly. The end wall panels are raisedso as to overlie the inturned tabs, which tabs may also be provided withflaps which extend inwardly over and in spaced relation to the bottompanel. Each end wall section is provided with an inturned rim sectionprovided with ear portions. adapted to be inserted between the overlyingand underlying rim portions forming the side rim sections. These earsserve to hold the side-and end wall panels or the box in rigidmerchandis-containing'position.

The inturned rim sections hinged to the side and end wall panels whenthus interlocked tcgether provide asubstantially continuous rim whichretains the merchandise within the box, The various boxes illustratedand described in this application may be made ofany desired size to holdany desired quantity or type of merchandise by making the bottom wallpanel of the required size and shape andthe side and end wall panels ofthe required height, reeniorced, ii necessary, to permit verticalstackinge The container may be closed by a cover comprising a flat"-blank of paperboard material retained in place by the inwardly extendingrim :0! the box. In another embodiment of the invention, a cover panelhinged to the box bodygis provided, all

' formed from a single blank of paperboard ma- The reenforcing irame maybe terial. The container and its contents may, it

such as transparent Cellophane or decorated sheet material.

Numerous articles of merchandise, such as blankets, bed sheets,bedspreads, curtains, textile materials, confections, and numerous otherarticles, may be conveniently and effectively packaged in the variousboxes forming the subject matter of this invention. The merchandisefilled packages may be stacked one upon the other without danger ofcrushing the box or its contents.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved blank formed froma single piece of paperboard material which may be shipp d in flatextended condition to the user. 51d, thereafter assembled by the user toprovide" afstrong and rigid container or box for merchandise which isheld fixedly and rigidly assembled by its interlocking partswithout'glue, staples, stitches byflgesasily and quickly manipulatedinterlocking Another object of this invention is to provide an improvedmerchandise container which can be economically formed from a singleblank of paperboard material, which blank may be shipped to the user inflat extended condition,

which may be quickly and easily assembled to enclose and retain themerchandise by a few simple operations performed during the packaging ofthe merchandise, which provides a strong, attractive and highlyserviceable container in which the merchandise may be shipped to, storedby and displayed by the merchant.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following particular description and from an inspection of theaccompanying drawings.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appendedhereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and themanner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood byreferring to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a prepared blank which hasbeen cut and scoredto form when erected my improved box;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the blank shown inFig. -1 as it appearswhen partially erected into merchandise-containing position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the box-forming blank as itappears at a further stage of erection into box form;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the box showing one end thereof fullyerected into box form and the other end thereof partially erected:

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the fully erected box withmerchandise, such as a blanket packed therein, this view showing thepacked box as it would appear when looking in the direction of thearrows 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a prepared blank suitably cut and scored, toprovide when erected a box of somewhat modified construction;

- appears at a further stage of "erection around the stiffener frame;

' Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the fully assembled box formed fromthe blank shown in Fig. 6, erected to enclose the stiffener frame;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the box shown in Fig. 10 showing the covermember illustrated in Fig. 7 in position to close the open top of,tedlinessothattheconstructionoftheboxwill' be more readily apparent;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of theerected box having merchandisepacked therein. this view showing the cover member in process of beingapplied to the packed box;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view through the packed boxshowing thecover member in place and as it would appear when looking in thedirection of the arrows l3--l3 of Fig. 14: 4

Fig; 14 is a perspective view of the packed box showing the cover memberundergoing removal to give access to the contents;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of a prepared blank which has been suitably cutand scored to provide a merchandise box of further modifiedconstruction;

Fig. '16 is a perspective view of the blank shown in Fig, 15 undergoingerection;

Fig. 17 is a'perspective view of the blank shown in Fig. 15 as itappears at a further stage of erection;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view ofthe box as it appears at the final stageof the erecting operation, this view showing certain locking partsthereof in the process of being swung into position to retain the box inrigid erected form;

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view through the erected box as it wouldappear when looking in the direction of the arrows "-4! of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a plan view of a prepared blank which has been suitably cutand scored to provide a box of further modified construction equippedwith a cover closure formed integral with the box-forming portion of theblank;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the blank shown in Fig. 20 as itappears at one stage of erection into box form;

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the blank as it appears at a furtherstage of erection into box form;

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the blank as it appears at a stillfurther stage of erection into box form;

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the blankas it appears in its finalstage of erection into box form; and I Fig. 25 is a cross-sectionalviewof the fully assembled box with the cover portion swung into closedposition and as it would appear when looking in the direction of thearrows 3-28 of Fig. 24.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawlugs and the specification.

The box asshowninl'igs.4and5maybe sssembled from the blank shown in Fig.1, which blank can be prepared by cutting same to the proper shape andscoring same on an automatic cutting and scoring machine. large sheetsor rolls of suitable paperboard material are fed into the cutting andscoring machine which operates to score the blanks and cut the blankstherefrom automatically and at high production speed. A

large number ofblanks, each of which has been cut and scored as shown inFig. 1, may be arranged in stacked relationship so as to occupy aminimum of cubic space, which blanks may be packed in suitable packingcases and shipped to the user to be erected as needed.

The blank as shown in Fig. 1 comprises a bottom wall panel ihavingsidewallpanels I hinged to the bottom wall panel along the fold orscore lines I, and end wall panels 4 hinged to the bottom wall panel Ialong the fold or score lines 5. Each side wall panel 2 is provided withan inturned rim-forming section 8 hinged to the side wall panel 2 alongthe fold line 1. Each rimforming section 6 comprises a rim-formingportion 6a and a rim-forming portion 612 hinged to the rim-formingportion 6a along the fold line 8. When the box is erected, rim-formingportion 62) is arranged to underlie the rim-forming portion 6a, as willbe presently described. A platform portion 60 comprising a generallytriangular-shaped portion extends'from each end and is formed as anintegral part of the underlying rim-forming portion 6b, each triangularportion 60 being defined by a diagonally extending out line 8c whichextends from one end of the fold line 8 to the adjacent end of fold line1.

Thus it is seen that each platform portion to is out free of rim portion6a and that rim portion 51) is connected to rim portion 6a by the foldline 8 only.

An end wall tab I is hinged to each end of each side wall panel 2 alongfold line the end tabs lil being turned inwardly when the box iserected. Each end tab I0 is provided with a flap ll hinged thereto alongfold line l2, which flap is adapted to overlie the bottom wall panel lin spaced relationship thereto when the box is erected. The score lines5' are slightly out of alignment with score lines 5 so as to permit thelower free edge of each end tab ID to lie within the adjacent fold line5 so that the adjacent end wall panels 4 may be conveniently erected tolie over the adjacent end tabs Ill.

Each end wall panel 4 is provided with a rimforming section I3 hingedthereto along the score line It, each section l3 being turned in so asto overlie the bottom wall panel i in spaced relationship thereto whenthe box is erected. Each rim section 13 is provided with an ear portionI3a. projecting from each end thereof to provide locking means forretaining the box in rigid erect position. A cover-supporting flap p0-sitioned between the ear portions Ilia is hinged to each rim section l3along the fold line 56 to support the adjacent ends of a cover-formingblank. The cover-supporting flap 5 hinged to each rim section l3 maycomprise an underlying fold-in portion H512 and a return bend portionl5b hinged thereto along the fold line H.

In erecting the blank into box form, the user stacks or arranges themerchandise M upon the bottom wall panel i of the blank with the sideand end edges of the merchandise confined within the fold lines 3 and 5.The rim portions 612 at each side of the blank are folded over theadjacent rim portions 6a. The side wall panels 2 are then erectedsubstantially perpendicular to the bottom wall panel I, as shown in Fig.2, with each side rim section 6 folded inwardly so as to extendsubstantially parallel to the bottom wall panel and in spacedrelationship thereto. Each end tab I0 is then swung inwardly so as toextend along the adjacent fold line 5, and each flap II is folded atright angles to the end tab l0 to which it is hinged. The corner portionHa of each flap II is arranged to rest upon the adjacent platformportion 6c and is inserted under the adjacent mitered ends 9 of the siderim portion 6a, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

When this operation has been completed, the end wall panels 4 areerected so as to overlie the adjacent end tabs in and the ear portionsl3a thereof are swung into position to overlie the adjacent flaps IIwith the ends thereof inserted under the adjacent mitered ends 9 of theside rim portion 8a, as illustrated more particularly in Figs. 3 and 4.The ear portions I3a are frictionally gripped between the overlying siderim portions 8a and the underlying side rim portions 8b, so that the boxwhen thus erected is held in rigid erected assembly.

The box may be left open at the top thereof, if desired, to permit readyinspection of the merchandise therein, or the box may be enclosed in awrapper sheet, such as transparent Cellophane or a decorated paperwrapper. If a closure cover for the box is desired, each end rim sectionit may be provided with a cover-supporting flap l5 hinged thereto. Priorto the application of the cover, portion lBa of the cover-supportingflap may be folded around the inner edge of the aligned flaps H, asshown more particularly in Fig. 5, so as to lie against the inside faceof flaps ll. Portion ISD is then rebent so as to underlie the adjacentportion No, portion l5b then providing a shelf support for the coverclosure 35 which may rest against the top of the merchandise, as shownin Fig. 5.

The cover closure may comprise a flat blank of paperboard material whichis of suflicient size to be inserted under the inturned side rimsections 60. with the ends thereof inserted between the adjacentcover-supporting portions IBa and IN). To facilitate insertion andremoval of the cover member, the same may be constructed and formed asshown in Fig. 7, which cover member will be presently described.

The erected box as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, formed from the single blankof paperboard material as shown in Fig. 1, is thus held togetherentirely by the interlocking parts thereof, without the use of glue,staples, stitches, or other extraneously applied securing means. The endwalls of the box are substantially of double-ply construction,comprising the end tabs Ill and the end wall panels kl, providing arigid and strong construction so that a large number of packed boxes maybe stacked one upon the other without crushing. The inturned rim flapsit, against which the inwardly extending ends of the triangular platform60 abut, maintain the underlying rim portions Gb substantially inparallelism with the overlying rim portions 6a. The side rim sections 6and the end rim sections I 3 provide a substantially continuousmerchandise-retaining rim around the top of the box, which is rigidlysupported by the interlocking parts so as to maintain a rigid inturnedposition. The erected box cannot be disassembled or pulled apart byforce without actually tearing the paperboard unless a specificunlocking procedure, which is the reverse of the erecting procedure, isfollowed. The box as completed is neat and attractive in appearance,presents no raw or rough edges, and provides a highly satisfactory boxwhich can be quickly and expeditiously erected by the user without toolsor machinery, to provide a highly serviceable box for numerous articlesof mer chandise.

A boxof somewhat modified construction as illustrated in Figs. 10 to 14inclusive, may be assembled from a prepared blank of paperboard materialas shown in Fig. 6. This blank comprises a bottom wall panel I havingSide wall panels 2 hinged to the opposite sides of the bottom wall panelI along fold or score lines 3, and end wall panels 4 hinged to theopposite ends of bottom wall panel I along fold or score lines 5. Amerchandise-retaining rim section 6 is hinged to each of the side wallpanels 2 along a fold line 1, each side rim section licomprising anoverlying rim portion 6a and an underlying rim portion 6b hinged theretoalong the fold line 8.

The adjacent ends of the end wall panels 4 and the side wall panels 2are connected by means of bellows fold portions. each portion comprisinga bellows fold section 20 hinged to the side wall panel 2 along foldline 5' and bellows fold section 23 hinged to the adjacent end of endwall panel 4 along fold line 3', bellows sections 20 and 23 beingconnected together by diagonally extending fold line 24 which extendsdiagonally from the point of intersection of the adjacent fold lines 3and 5. A out line 25 extending generally parallel to the fold line 3'intersects the diagonally extending fold line 24, and partiallyseparates bellows section 20 from bellows section 23. It will be notedthat the end of bellows section 20 extends a distance beyond the freeedge of bellows section 23 and that each bellows section 20 is providedwith an inturned flap 2| hinged thereto along the fold line 22. It willalso be noted that the paired fold lines 5 are slightly closer togetherthan fold lines 5, so as to permit proper folding of the bellows section20 and 23. Score lines 3' may be, however, in direct alignment withscore lines 3.

Each end wall panel 4 is provided with a rimferming section |3 hingedthereto along the fold line I4. Each rim section I3 is provided with aprojecting ear portion |3a extending from each end thereof to providemeans for locking the blank in erect box-forming position. Each rimsection l3 may also be provided with a locking flap I5 spaced betweenthe ear portions |3a and hinged to the rim section l3 along fold line H.

If merchandise of substantial weight or volumetric size is to be packedin the box assembled from the blank shown in Fig. 6, it may be desirableto provide a stiffening frame 30, as shown in Fig. 8, around which theside and end wall panels may be wrapped. This frame member 30 may beformed from relatively stiff cardboard, such as corrugated boxboard,having opposed side sections 32 and opposed end sections 3| suitablyconnected together at the comers. The frame member may be convenientlyformed from a single strip of boxboard, which is transversely scored atthree places to define the side and end sections, the meeting ends ofthe strip being secured together by a suitable corner stay. The

'frame member 30 may be of such size that the outside faces thereofcoincide with the inside edge of the score lines 3 and 5 of thebox-forming blank.

.When the merchandise is to be packaged, the frame member 30 is placedin position upon the bottom wall panel I of the blank and themerchandise packed within the frame member 30 supported upon the bottomwall panel I. Each side rim portion 6b is then folded to overlie theadjacent side rim portion 6a. A flange portion 21 hinged to each rimportion 6b along fold line 28 may be provided which overlies the insideface of side wall panel 2 when rim portion 6b is folded,

to overlie rim portion 641. Each side wall panel 2 is raised so that theunderlying rim portion 6b will overlie the adjacent top edge of theadjacent side section 32 of the frame, with the flange portion 21positioned between the outside face of the adjacent side section 32 ofthe frame and the inside face of the adjacent side wall panel '2 of theblank.

Bellows section 20 is then swung into parallelism with the adjacent endsection 3| of the frame so as to overlie the outside face thereof. Thecomer portion 2|a of each flap 2| then turned inwardly so as to overliecomer portion 6b of rim portion 6b and is inserted under the miterededge 26 of overlying rim portion 6a, as shown more particularly in Fig.9. As thus arranged it will be noted that each end section 3| of theframe provides a support for the adjacent bellows section 20 andinturned flap 2|.

The end wall panels 4 are then raised into vertical position and bellowsportion 23 hinged to each end thereof is swung inwardly so as to overliethe outside face of the adjacent bellows sections 20, as shown moreparticularly in Fig. 9. When erected, the end wall panels 4 will closelyoverlie the outside face of adjacent end section 3| of theframe and theoutside face of adjacent bellows sections 20. As the end wall panels 4are raised into position, rim section I3 is turned inwardly and the earportions |3a thereof are inserted so as to overlie the ends 2|a of theadjacent flaps 2| and extend under the mitered edge 26 of the rimportions 6a, in the manner shown in Fig. 10. The friction exerted uponthe ear portions l3a by the overlying rim portions 611 and theunderlying rim portions 6b prevents withdrawal of the ear portions andretains the box in rigid assembled position. It will here be noted thatrim portions 6a and 6b are held squeezed together by reason of the factthat -both extend over the top edge of the adjacent side sections 32 ofthe frame, the side sections 32 and end sections 3| of the frame beingof such height with respect to side wall panels 2 and end wall panels 4of the blank as to effect this result.

The locking flap I5 hinged to each end rim section l3 may be turnedinwardly around the inner edge of aligned end flaps 2| so that the freeedge 2|a thereof will overlie the top edge of the adjacent end section3| of the frame, as shown more particularly in Fig. 18, thus locking theflap I5 in fixed position.

The box is thus assembled in rigid container form without the use ofglue, staples, stitches or other applied securing means and is heldtogether solely by the interlocking frictional engagement of the partsthereof. By the provision of a frame within the box-forming blank a boxis provided which has unusually stiff and rigid side and end walls so asto support merchandise of substantial size and weight, permittingnumerous boxes to be stacked one upon the other without danger that themerchandise in the boxes or the boxes themselves will be crushed by thesuperimposed weight. The box is especially adapted for the packaging ofbulky articles of merchandise, such as blankets, sheets and pillowcases. The blank can be erected after the merchandise has been placedupon the bottom panel of the blank with out requiring a pre-assembledbox which would occupy valuable storage and hipping space. The side rimsections 6 and end rim sections |3 when assembled into box form providea substantially continuous rim which is unusually strong and rigid, andwhich serves to retain the merchandise in the box so that themerchandise cannot easily be removed from the box without tearing ordisassembling the blank.

If desired, a cover 35, such as shown in Fig. 7, may be provided toclose the open top of the box. The cover member 35 is formed from asingle blank of paperboard material and so constructed that it can beeasily inserted into box-closing position and easily removed therefromto permit inspection of the merchandise. The cover 35 comprises asubstantially rectangular blank 01' paperboard material having miteredcorners 35, comprising a covering portion 31, and side edge portionsindicated at 33 which are inserted under the inturned side rim sections5 and positioned to overlie the merchandise M. To eflect insertion ofthe end portions 39 of the cover blank, a pair of parallel extendingfold lines 40 and 4| are provided which define fold portions 42 and 43.A pair of ears 44, each defined by an arcuate out line 45 which extendinto the covering portion 31 of the blank, provides means by which thecover blank may be manipulated.

It will be" appreciated that to effect insertion of the side edgeportions 38 under the side rim sections 3,'the top portion 31 of theblank must be bowed convexly, as shown in Fig. 12, which would normallybe prevented when the end portions 39 are folded downwardly at rightangles to the top portion 31. Bowing of the top portion 31 is eflectedin my improved cover blank by the provision of parallel extending foldlines 43, which fold lines extend transversely through the fold portions42 and 43 to the ends of the arcuate out line 45. A pair of diagonallyextending fold lines 41 is provided, each extending from the meetingpoint of arcuate out line 45 with score line 40 and extending diagonallyacross fold portions 42 and 43. Each diagonally extending fold line 41and the adjacent transverse score line 45 define a triangular-shapedsection 43 therebetween which permits the section 49 between theparallel extending fold lines 49 to be swung-inwardly so that the foldportions 42 and 43 exterior to the diagonally extending fold lines 41may be swung into position substantially at right angles to thetop-portion 31 of the blank irrespective of the amount which the topportion 31 is bowed or convexed. When the top section 31 is bowed, thetabs 44 will project upwardly and will permit the insertion of the endportions 39 into the box over the edge ofthe adjacent end rim sectionl3. When inward pressure on the end portions 39 isreleased, the endportions 39 will swing outwardly underneath the overlying end rimsections 13. The top portion 31 as well as the side portions 38 and endportions 39 thereof will then spring in a substantially fiat plane, asshown in Fig. 13, so as to'overlie the merchandise and protect the samefrom dust and contamination.

It will be appreciated that the assembled box, as shown in Figs. 11 and13, may be enclosed in a suitable wrapper which may or may not be madeof transparent material, with or without the provision of the coverpanel 35. The cover panel 35, however, provides a convenient closure,which can be easily removed to permit inspection of the contents, whichcanbe efiected by exerting an upward pull on the tabs 44. The coverpanel 35 might also be used to close the open top of the box shown inFig. 4. If desired, a stiffening frame 30 may also be provided in thebox shown in Fig. 4, to stiffen and strengthen the side and end wallpanels thereof.

A further modified form of merchandise box is shown in Fig. 18, whichmay be formed from a single blank of paperboard material as shown inFig. 15, held together inrigid box assembled form solely by interlockingparts without the use of stitches, staples, adhesive, or other appliedsecuring means. The box-forming blank as shown in Fig. 15 comprises abottom wall panel I hav- 1, each rim section comprising an overlying rimportion 3a having the ends 26 thereof cut on a miter, and underlying rimportion 9b hinged to rim portion 3a along fold line 8. A supporting flap53 hinged to rim portion 6b along fold line 59 may also be provided.

An end tab 19 is hinged to each end of each side wall panel 2 along foldlines 5 and is provided with an intumed flap II hinged to the tab 10along fold line 12. The fold lines 5' defining the ends of each oi theside wall panels 2 are spaced slightly closer together than the parallelextending fold lines 5, so as to permit each of the end tabs 13 to foldinwardly so as to lie just within the adjacent fold lines 5.

Each end wall panel 4 has a rim section 13 hinged thereto along foldline 14, which rim section is provided with a projecting ear portion 13aat each end thereof. There is further provided a rim-supporting sectioncomprising the rim portion 52 hinged to rim section 13 along the foldline 53 and a supporting portion 54 hinged to rim portion 52 along foldline 55. The ear portions 13a are each defined by an arcuate-shaped outline 5|, the inner ends of the cut lines 51' extending to the fpld line53. To facilitate insertion of the rim-supporting section into the box,a pair, of parallel extending fold lines 51 are preferably provided,which extend from fold line'53 outwardly through the rim portion 52 andsupporting portion 54.

In assembling the box from the blank shown in Fig. 15, each rim portion-6b of each side rim section 6 is folded to overlie its adjacent rimportion 6a, which folding operation places supporting portion 58 inposition to overlie the inside face of the adjacent side wall panel 2.Each side wall panel 2 is then'raisedto-substantially vertical position,as shown in Fig. 16, with each rim section 6 extending inwardly.Supporting portion 58 is of such height as to maintain the rim portion6b closely seated against the inside face of the overlying rim portion6a. Each of the end tabs 10 is then swung inwardly and the flap llhinged thereto is folded substantially at right angles to its end tab I0so as to permit the corner portion lid of the flap to be positioned tooverlie a projecting corner portion 6b of the underlying rim portion 61)and to be inserted beneath "the overlying rim portion 6a underthemitered: edge 26 thereof.

Each of the end .wall panels 4 is then raised, its'associated rimsection 13 folded inwardly, and the ear portions 130. are inserted underthe mitered ends 25 of the adjacent overlying rim portion 6a, whichoperation brings the end wall panels 4 into a position at right anglesto bottom wall panel I, as shown in Fig. 18. Each portion 52. hinged toeach of the rim sections 1.3 is then folded over the inner edges of thealigned flaps ll so as to underlie the inside face of these flaps, whichoperation is permitted by reason of the fact that the end portions 56 ofthe rim-supporting section will fold so as to swing past the wall panel4. when in this position the end porface of the bottom wall panel I andretains its'associated rim portion I52 in closed abutment against theinside face of its associated rim section I3.

The box as thus constructed and erected presents substantiallydouble-ply side and end walls, the double-ply sidewalls being formed bythe side wall panels 2 and the supporting portions I8, and the endpanels being formedby the end wall panels 4 and the supporting portions54. The end tabs III provide further stiffening support of the end wallsof the box. Abox is thus provided which will stand up under substantialsuperimposed pressures so that a large number of packed boxes may bestacked one upon the other. In this form of box the merchandise may bemost conveniently packed in the box after the box has been completelyerected, since the merchandise might interfere with the proper infoldingof the rim portions 52 and the supporting portions 54. The side rimsections 6 and the end rim sections I3 provide a substantially con-.tinuous rim which assists in-retaining themerchandise within the box andwhich provides an attractive framing for the merchandise packed therein.The assembled box with the merchandise packed therein may be enclosed ina suitable wrapper or the open top thereof may be closed by a suitablepaperboard cover blank tucked under the rim-forming sections i and I3,which cover-forming blank may be constructed as illustrated in Fig. 7.

In the packaging of certain types of merchandise it may be desirable toprovide a box with a hinged cover. There is shown in Figs. 24 and 25 anattractive box for merchandise having a hinged cover associatedtherewith, which is formed entirely from a single blank of paperboardmaterial, as illustrated in Fig. 20. box-forming blank' comprises abottom wall panel I having side wall panels 2 hinged to bottom wallpanel I along fold lines 3 and end wall panels 4 hinged to bottom wallpanel I along vided with an end wall tab III hinged to one end thereofalong fold lines 5', each tab Ill being provided with an inturned flapII hinged thereto along fold line I2.

A front wall panel 4 hinged to the bottom wall panel I along fold line 5is provided with a rim-forming section I3 hin ed to the front wall panelalong the fold line I4 The rim-forming section I3 is provided with anear portion Isa at each end thereof each defined by an arcuate out lineSI which intersects a fold line 53 by means of which a rim-supportingsection is hinged. The rim-supporting section comprises a rim portion 52joined to the rim section I3 by fold line 53, and a supporting portion54 The end portions IQ of the rim-supporting section are defined by apair of parallel score lines .formed b a pair of end tabs "hinged to therear end of each of the side wall panels 2 along fold line I, the tabs10 being of suillcient length to meet and preferably overlap, to providea substantially continuous rear wall. One of the tabs "I may be longerthan the other tab II, which increased length is indicated by endextension I4. Each of the end tabs I0 is provided with a primaryrim-forming section comprising rim portion II hinged to the tab I! alongthe fold line I2 and rim portion II hinged to rim portion ll along foldline 14. A stiffening flap ll having mitered ends 11 may be hinged toeach of "the rim portions 13 along fold line I4. One of the rim portions13 may be provided with an ear extension 18 hinged to the. inturned endthereof along fold line 1!, for a purpose which will presently appear.

A secondary rear wall panel II which may have a slightly greater heightthan the front wall panel 4 to provide a bulged book back effect, ishinged to the rear edge of the bottom wall panel I along the fold lineI. A secondary rimforming section 43 is hinged to the secondary rearwall panel 8| along the fold line 82. A cover panel III is hinged to thesecondary rimforming section 63 along fold line 44. The secondaryrim-forming section 83 may be provided with an ear portion "a at eachend thereof, which are formed by the miter cut lines 4| which intersectthe cover hinge line 64. A locking tab '4 may be hinged to the free edgeof the cover panel II along fold lines 61, locking tab I having alocking flap ll hinged thereto along a fold' line 69 which is adapted tobe inserted through the slit or cut 84 provided in the lower1eitrllgesof front wall panel 4 adjacent the, score e In assembling thebox, a strip of adhesive 0 may be applied to the inside face of each ofthe rim portion flaps]! and 80, which may be eco. nomically and quicklyapplied by means of 'a strip gluing machine. Each rim portion 4b isfolded over the adjacent rim portion 6a to which it is hinged andreenforcing flap to pressed into adhesive engagement with the insideface of the adjacent end wall panel 2. Similarly, rim por tion 13 isfolded over rim portion 'II and reenforcing flap I! pressed intoadhesive engagement with the inside face of'the and tab II, producing anassembly as illustrated in Fig. 21. It will be appreciated that, ifdesired, the adhesive 9 applied to. the reenforcing flaps I and I5 maybe eliminated, and these reenforcing flaps increased in height so as tosubstantially equal the height of the adjacent end wall panel 2 and theadjacent end ta-b III, so that when the parts are erected the free edgeof the reenforcing flaps and 15 will rest against the inside face of thebottom wall panel I.

Side wall panels 2 are then erected into substantially verticalposition, as shown in Fig. 22, flaps II are folded to extendsubstantially at right angles to the erected end tabs II, and the cornerportion Ila of each flap II is tucked under the mitered edge 26 of theoverlying side rim portion 4a, which operation places the end hinged tothe rim portion 52 by fold line 56. 7 tabs" substantially in alignmentwith the lower edge resting upon the bottom wall panel I ad- Jacent thefold line 5.

At this point, if desired, the front wall of the box may be erected insecured position by erecting the front wall panel 4 and inserting theear portions |3a under the mitered ends 26 of the overlying side rimportions 6a, as illustrated in Figs. 22 and 24, which insertionoperation places the front rim section IS in position to overlie theinturned flaps ll. Rim portion 52 may then be swung around the inneredge of aligned flaps II and swung outwardly so as to lie against theinside face of the flaps M. This operation can be readily performed byreason of the fact that the hinged end portions 55 of the supportingsection will fold over the inner edges of the side flap sections 6.Supporting portion 54 is then pressed against the inside face of frontwall panel a and end portions 56 will expand outwardly by reason of theresilient nature of the paperboard so as also to lie fiat against theinside face of the front wall panel 4.

The rear wall panel of the box may then be erected and secured in fixedposition by swinging the end tabs I inwardly into alignment so that thelower edge thereof rests upon the rear edge of bottom wall panel Iadjacent fold line 5. In this position the end extensions of one of theend tabs 10 will overlap the free end of the other end tab I0, as shownin Fig. 22. Simultaneously with this folding operation the cornerportions Ha of the rim sections forming a part of the end tabs 10 areinserted under the adjacent mitered edges 26 of the side rim portions 6aso as to rest upon the projecting ends 61; of the side rim portions 612,as illustrated in Fig. 22. Th ear portion I8 hinged to one of the rimportions H is then inserted between the overlying rim portion H and theunderlying rim portion 13 hinged to the opposite end tab, the insert 78thus serving as a splicing element to retain the end tabs 10 inoverlapping alignment and retain the ends of the primary rim sectionshinged to the tabs ill in fixed substantially abutting relationship, asillustrated in Fig. 23. I

The secondary rear wall panel, Bl, which may be in the form of a bookback, if desired, is then raised into vertica position and the ears 63aforming a part of the secondary rim section 63 are inserted under theadjacent mitered edges 26 of the overlying side rim portions Go, asillustrated more particularly in Figs. 22 and 24. When thus inserted,the secondary rim section 63 will provide a smooth and finished rearedge for the box. Thus the front rim section I3 is supported andreeni'orced by rim'portion 52 and supporting portion 54, the side rimsections 6a comprising the overlying rim portions to and the underlyingrim portions 6b, are supported and reenforced by the reenforcing flaps80, and the primary rim sections formed by the overlying rim portions Hand the underlying rim portions 13 are reenforced by flaps 15, whichprimary rim sections further support and reenforce the secondary rearwall rim section 63. The box body as thus constructed is provided withdouble-ply side, front and rear walls, so that numerous boxes may bestacked one upon the other without danger that the lowermost box will becrushed or the merchandise damaged.

When the box has been thus assembled, the merchandise, such as candies,confections, or numerous other articles, may be packed therein. When themerchandise has been packed within the box, the cover panel 60 is swungdown so as to overlie the side rim sections 6 and the front rim sectionl3. The cover may be locked into closed position by inserting thelocking flap 68 through the cut or slit 84 adjacent the bottom edge ofthe front wall panel I. The front wallsupporting portion 54 may beprovided with a cut-out 85 in the lower edge thereof. to permitinsertion of the locking flap 68 into the box so as to overlie theinside face of the bottom wall panel I thereof, as shown in Fig. 25. Asthus arranged, the strap portion 68 overlies the outside face of thefront wall panel 4, as shown in Fig. 25.

The box shown in Figs. 24 and 25 can be formed entirely from a singleblank of paperboard material as shown in Fig. 20, economically and atlow cost. The box-forming blank can be shipped fiat to the user and maybe stacked,

shipped and stored in aminimum of space. When merchandise is to bepacked therein, the boxes can be erected by the user as needed. As aboveexplained, the reenforcing flaps 88 and 15 may be made of a heightcorresponding to the height of the side wall panels 2 and end tabs 10respectively, so that the lower edge thereof will rest against thebottom wall panel I of the box so that no adhesive need be appliedthereto. If the reenforcing flaps and 15 are made of shorter height, asshown in Fig. 20, a strip of adhesive may be quickly applied thereto byan automatic strip gluing machine, and these flaps folded and pressedinto adhesive engagement with the inside face of the end wall panel 2and the end tabs 10 to which they are hingedly connected. As thusassembled, the box may be shipped to the userin substantially flatcondition, in the form illustrated in Fig. 21. No adhesive, staples,stitches, or other extraneously applied securing means need be appliedby'the user to erect the box into container form. The erected boxpresents an unusually attractive and eye-appealing package in whichcandies, nuts,

confections, textiles, wearing apparel, and numerous other articles ofmerchandise may be conveniently packed. The hinged cover panel protectsthe contents from contamination and injury, and the boxes may be stackedone upon the other without damage to the contents or danger of crushing.

It will now be seen that I have provided a number of attractivemerchandisecontaining boxes, all of which may be produced economicallyand at a high production rate on an automatic cutting and scoringmachine, to provide blanks which may be ship ed to and stored by theuser in flat expanded position, effecting substantial economies inshipping and storage costs. These boxes may all be assembled by the userwithout the application of glue, staples, stitches or other appliedsecuring means, the boxes being held in rigid merchandise-supporting andcontaining position entirely by interlocking parts, which may be quicklyinterconnected. The boxes further provide substantially continuousmerchandise-retaining rims which assist in retaining the merchandisewithin'the boxes, which rims further provide an attractive anddecorative framing for the merchandise packed therein. The

side and end walls of the box are amply reen-- tiai cubical space is tobe packaged. No assembling machinery is required by the user to erectthe box from the flat blank into rigid container form, and in some ofthe boxes illustrated merchandise can be conveniently placed upon thebottom wall panel of the expanded blank and the blank then erected intocontainer-forming position around the merchandise at no greaterexpenditure of time than would be required to package the merchandise ina fully set up box.

My improved box is formed from a one-piece blank comprising a bottomwall panel and enclosing panels hingedly connected thereto, whichenclosing panels have been variously referred to as side wall panels andend wall panels to facilitate description. It will be understood thatthe term "side wall panels" and "end wall panels as used herein are notintended to designate either the relative lengths or heights of theenclosing panel walls, and that essentially alternate panels areprovided with double-ply rimi'orming sections between which theprojecting ears associated with the rim sections connected to theintermediate panels are inserted.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed andare pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood thatvarious omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A merchandising box formed from a single bottom wall panel, a rimsection hinged to each of said side wall panels comprising hingedlyconnected overlying and underlying rim portions, an inturned end tabhinged to each end of each side wall panel, an inturned rim flap hingedto each of said tabs, each of said rim flaps having a corner portionthereof inserted between adjacent overlying and underlying rim portions,a rim section hinged to each of said end wall panels folded overadjacent aligned flaps, and interengaging means comprising parts of saidrim sections for retaining said box in fixed assembled position.

2. A merchandising box formed from a single blank of paperboard materialincluding, a bottom wall panel, side wall panels hinged to said bottomwall panel, end wall panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, aninturned end tab hinged to each end of each side wall panel, an inturnedrim-forming flap hinged to each of said end tabs, a double-ply rimsection hinged to each of said side wall panels, each of said rim flapshaving a corner portion thereof inserted between the plies of theadjacent double-ply rim sections, a rim section hinged to each of saidend wall panels, and interengaging means comprising parts of said rimsections for retaining said box the lower ply thereof beyond the ends ofthe as- 76 tions.

scciated curbing ply, a double-ply inturned rim section hinged to eachof said intermediate panels restingonsaidendextensionsandthetopedge ofsaid frame. and an ear extending from each end of each intermediate rimsection projecting between the adjacent ends of said double-ply rimsections for retaining said rim sections in fixed assembled position.

4. A merchandising box including, a bottom wall panel, a plurality ofenclosing panels comprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged tosaid bottom wall panel, an inturned end tab hingedly connected to eachend of alterna'teenclosing panels, an inturned rim section hingedlyconnected to each of said alternate panels comprising an overlying rimportion and an underlying rim portion, an inturned rim nap hinged toeach of said end tabs having a corner portion thereof inserted betweenadjacent overlying and underlying rim portions, a rim section includingan overlying rim portion hinged to each of said intermediate panels andoverlying the adjacent flaps, and an ear portion projecting from eachend of said intermediate overlying rim portions frictionally retainedbetween the adjacent overlying and underlying rim portions of thealternate sections.

5. A merchandising box including, a bottom wall panel, a plurality ofenclosing panelscomprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged tosaid bottom wall panel, an inturned end tab hingedly connected to eachend of alternate enclosing panels, an inturned rim section hingedlyconnected to each of said alternate panels providing an overlying rimportion and an underlying rim portion, a supporting portion hinged toeach of said underlying rim portions for maintaining theoverlying andunderlying rim portions in substantial parallelism, an inturned rim flaphinged to each of said end tabs having a corner portion thereof insertedbetween the overlying and underlying-rim portions, a rim section hingedto each of said intermediate panels overlying the adjacent flaps, and anear portion projecting from each end of each intermediate rim sectionfrictionally retained between the adjacent overlyingand underlying rimportions.

6. A merchandising box formed from a single blank of paperboard materialincluding, a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panelscomprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wallpanel, an inturned end tab.hingedly connected to each end of alternateenclosing panels, an inturned rim section hingedly connected to each ofsaidalternate panels providing an overlying rim portion and anunderlying rim portion,'a supporting portion hinged to each of saidunderlying rim portions abutting the inside face of the adjacentalternate panel for maintaining the overlying and underlying rimportions in substantial parallelism, each end of each overlying rimportion having a mitered end with the underlying rim portion projectingbeyond said mitered ends, an inturned rim flap hinged to each of saidend tabs supported upon the projecting end of the adjacent underlyingrim portion and having a 'corner portion thereof inserted between the8d? jacent overlying and underlying rim portions, a

rim section hinged to each of the intermediate panels overlying theadjacent flaps, and an ear portion projecting from each end of eachintermediate rim section frictionally retained between the adjacentoverlying and underlying rim poraasasso 'l. A merchandising boxincluding, a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panelscomprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wallpanel, an inturned rim section hingedly connected to each of saidalternate panels providing an overlying rim portion and an underlyingrim portion, a supporting portion hinged to each of said underlying rimportions f the underlying rim portion projecting beyond said miteredends, a rim section hinged to each of the intermediate panels supportedby the projecting ends of the underlying rim portions, and an earportion connected to each end of each intermediate rim sectionfrictionally retained between the adjacent overlying and underlying rimportions.

8. A prepared blank formed from a single sheet of paperboard materialadapted to be assembled into a rigid box by interlocking parts of theblank including, a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panelscomprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wallpanel, a rim section hinged to each of said alternate panels, eachalternate rim section comprising an outer rim portion hinged to an innerrim portion and adapted to be folded to underlie its associated innerrim portion, said outer rim portion having an ear portion at each endthereof extending beyond the adjacent end of its associated inner rimportion, a rim section hinged to each of said intermediatepanels havinga locking ear projecting from each end thereof, an end tab hinged toeach end of said alternate panels, and a rim flap hinged to each of saidend tabs.

9. A prepared blank formed from a single sheet of paperboard materialadapted to be assembledinto a rigid box form solely by interlockingpaperboard parts of the blank without the use of applied securing meansincluding, a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panelscomprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wallpanel, a rim section hinged to each of said alternate panels eachcomprising hingedly connected overlying and underlying rim portions,each of said overlying rim flap hinged to each of said tabs, each ofsaid rim flaps having a corner portion frictionally retained betweenadjacent overlying and underrim portions having its ends cut on a miterwith the ends of the underlying rim portion projecting beyond themitered ends of the overlying rim portion, an end tab hinged to each endof each alternate panel, a rim flap hinged to each of said end tabs,having a corner portion adapted to be inserted between adjacentoverlying and underlying rim portions when the box is erected, and a rimsection hinged to each of said intermediate panels having a locking earat each end thereof adapted to be inserted between adjacent overlyingand underlying rim portions when the box is erected.

10. A merchandising box including, a bottom wall panel, a plurality ofenclosing panels comprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged tosaid bottom wall panel, an inturned rim section hinged to each of saidalternate panels providing an overlying rim portion and an underlyingrim portion, means for retaining the overlying and underlying rimportions in sub- I stantial parallelism, an inturned end tab hingedlying rim portions, inturned rim section hinged to each of saidintermediate panels, an ear projecting from each end of eachintermediate rim section frictionally retained between adjacentoverlying and underlying rim portions, and a locking flap hinged to eachof said intermediate rim sections enclosing the aligned inner edges ofadjacent rim flaps.

11. A merchandising box formed from a single blank of paperboardmaterial including, a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panelscomprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wallpanel, an inturned rim section hinged to each of said alternate panelsproviding an overlying rim portion and an underlying rim portion, aninturned and tab hinged to each end of each alternate panel, an inturnedrim flap hinged to each of said tabs, a rim section hinged to each ofsaid intermediate panels, an ear projecting from each end of eachintermediate rim section frietionally retained between adjacentoverlying and underlying rimportions, a locking flap hinged to each ofsaid intermediate rim sections folded to enclose the aligned inner edgesof the adjacent rim flaps, and an inturned cover-supporting portionunderlying each of said locking flaps.

12. A merchandising box including, a bottom wall panel, a plurality ofenclosing panels comprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged tosaid bottom wall panel, an inturned doubleply rim section hingedlyconnected to each of said alternate panels, comer portions comprisinghingedly connected bellows fold sections connecting the adjacent ends ofadjacent alternate and intermediate panels with the bellows fold sectionhinged to the alternate panel having an inturned rim flap, each of saidrim flaps having a corner portion thereof inserted between-the plies ofthe adjacent double-ply rim section, a rim section hinged to each ofsaid intermediate panels, and an ear projecting from each end of eachintermediate rim section adapted to be frictionally retained between thepiles of the adjacent double-ply rim section.

13. A merchandising box formed from paperboard material including, abottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panels comprising alternateand intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, a rigidreinforcing frame supported by said bottom wall panel positioned within'said enclosing panels, an inturned end tab hinged to each end of eachalternate panel, an inturned rim flap hinged to each of said tabs, andan inturned double-ply rim section hinged to each of said alternatepanels overlying the top edge of said frame, each of said rim flapshaving a comer portion thereof inserted between the plies of theadjacent double-ply rim sections, a rim section hinged to each of saidintermediate panels folded over adjacent aligned rim flaps and the topedge of said frame, and inter-engaging means comprising parts of saidrim sections for retaining said box in fixed assembled position.

to each end of said alternate panels, an inturned 14. Amerchandising boxformed from a single blank of paperboard material including, a bottomwall panel; a plurality of enclosing panels comprising alternate andintermediate panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, a rigidreinforcing frame supported by said bottom wall panel positioned'withinsaid enclosing panels,

each of said alternate panels having an inturned double-ply rim formingsection comprising an overlying rim portion and an underlying rimportion resting on the top edge of said frame, a double-ply rimsectionhinged to each of said intermediate panels comprising anoverlying rim portion and an underlying rim portion resting on the topedge of said frame, said intermediate overlying rim portion having anear projecting from each end thereof inserted between the adjacentalternate overlying and underlying rim portions for retaining saidenclosing panels and rim sections in fixed assembled position.

15. A merchandising box formed from a single blank of paperboardmaterial including. a bottom wall panel, a plurality of enclosing panelscomprising alternate and intermediate panels hinged to said bottom wallpanel, a rigid reinforcing frame supported by said bottom wall panel andpositioned within said enclosing panels, an inturned rim section hingedto each of said alternate panels comprising an overlying rim portion andan underlying rim portion resting upon the top edge of said framewhereby the overlying and ,underlying rim portions are retained insubstantial parallelism, an inturned end tab hinged to each end of saidalternate panels positioned adjacent the outer surface of said frame, aninturned rim flap hinged to each of said tabs and resting on the topedge of said frame, an inturned rim section comprising an overlying rimportion hinged to each of saidintermediate panels and an outturnedunderlying rim portion resting on the top edge of said frame,

WILLIAM A. RINGIER.

